A tech-enabled agricultural project has been launched in Garissa which will serve as apracticalhubforsustainableagriculture.

4BM and M-lugha launched the Tech-Enabled Agricultural project for Garissa School children which was fundedbytheUKInternationalDevelopment.

The project will combine traditionalfarmingmethods withdigitaltools,andpositiontheschoolasacentreforagriculturalinnovationandlearning.

Thisprojectwillseetheestablishment ofschoolgardensatYathribPrimarySchoolinGalbeetWard, GarissaTownship.

 “One of the key challenges in adopting climate-smart agriculture, is demonstrating its value to smallholder farmers and showing how these practices can enhance both productivity and economic sustainability,” stated Mohammed Omar, Garissa County Chief Officer for Agriculture.

Garissa County has limited access to sustainable agricultural practices and digital literacy posing challenges to food security and economic development.

Traditionalfarmingmethodsareinsufficientinthefaceofclimatechange,exacerbatingfood insecurity and economichardships.

Moreover, thecommunity lacks opportunities for learning and adopting modern agricultural techniques.

Omar welcomed the initiative and lauded the partners for selecting a school in Garissa County.

By making the school a focal point for agricultural learning and practice center, the project aimstopromotecommunity-wideadoptionofsustainableagriculturaltechniquestomitigate drought.

 At the same time, the integration of technology will enhance digital literacy among bothstudentsandcommunitymembers,enablingthemtoleveragetoolsforcropmonitoring, market research, and entrepreneurship.

Mr.MohamedDure,theheadmasteratYathribPrimarySchool,said:

 “Thisprojectisavaluable initiative,providinglearnerswithhands-onexperienceinconegardenfarming.”

Atotalof126 childrenwillbeassignedadifferentcone,andattheproject'sconclusion,thebest-performing cone will receive an award.

Speaking on behalf of 4BM, Sheila Kidenda, the project manager highlighted the importance of partnerships in creating a platform for training smallholder farmers and educating the children in smart agricultural practices which is essential for knowledge sharing.

“The partnership between 4BM, M-Lugha will help extend the project's reach, allowing access to broader networks and communities that might otherwise be difficult to engage” she said.

This project will be executed for a period of three months where learners from different schools across the county will have a chance to come for a site visit to learn about smart agricultural practices by incorporating tablets and a dedicated curriculum.

It will serve as a livingtoolforstudentsandthewidercommunity,providingcontinuouslearningopportunities beyond the project's completion.

Why tech-enabled agriculture

The acceptance and understanding of tech-enabled agriculture by smallholder farmers is crucial to addressing global challenges related to food security and nutrition.

The agriculture sector growth rate in Garissa County has a very erratic trend as it is highly vulnerable to drought shock.

The community faces significant risks from poverty, climate change, and hunger.

However, climate-smart agriculture is increasingly seen as a way to combatthesechallenges.AbdinoorAlimahdi,FounderofM-lughasaid;

 “Thiscollaborationis astartingpointforagriculturalinnovationandlearningasitwillembeddigitalliteracyintothe agricultural curriculum, utilizing tablets and the M-lugha app to enhance both agricultural knowledge and technology skills.”